The Indian Weave and a Wonderful Giveaway!

Welcome to the world of “The Indian Weave”! A world inhabited by unique vintage treasures, indigenous textiles and traditional Indian arts and crafts, all handpicked to match the urban sensitivities of today’s well-informed consumer. Based in Gurgaon (India), this web boutique was established by Jean and Puneet Roy, with the intent to endorse less known traditional Indian arts and crafts and promote fair trade in honor of the many gifted artisans who still manage to keep the traditional way of creating the arts and crafts alive. Jean shares, “Having worked with the best luxury hotels for more than 3 decades, it was natural for me to follow my love for the good things in life and something that would provide me the freedom and flexibility to pursue 3 important passions – a reason to travel, an opportunity to learn about our rich culture and finally, a chance to discover and promote the fascinating Indian heritage and its crafts.” I had the opportunity to chat up with this lovely lady and talk to her about her adventurous journey so far. 

TECD: Hello and welcome to TECD Jean! Let’s start by asking you what according to you is the USP of “The Indian Weave”? 

Jean Roy: “Each piece is personally chosen by my husband and me. We travel all over India from time to time visiting artisans and finding authentic sources for our products that you see in our store. All products are handmade, hand crafted and are sourced most often from the artisans themselves who are making them as per age old traditions / practices.”

TECD: Tell us more about the curating process that is adopted for The Indian Weave?

Jean Roy: “No matter which state we visit, we find local handicraft which is unique to the state/tradition. We then try and identify what will be appreciated by our customers especially Indians living abroad which will make them feel closer home - India. (Also keeping in mind our other global customers who love everything Indian.) We understand the process and the history behind each item, meet with them one on one whenever and wherever possible and keep a tab on what’s trending or not.”

TECD: Though The Indian Weave is a fairly new venture, you have grown by leaps and bounds. What would you say has been your success mantra?

Jean Roy: “Be passionate. Love what you do and as they say, if you make your passion or hobby your profession, you do not have to work a single day in your life.”

TECD: What have you personally taken away from this project of yours?

Jean Roy: “Rediscovering India through its beautiful handicrafts, skill of artisans, age old traditions still prevalent in keeping the crafts alive and the realization that there is so much more to our own country than one can imagine.”

 TECD: What can we expect to see in your latest curated collection? 

Jean Roy: “We recently featured a Diwali collection and over the next month shall be featuring a festive collection which shall include some handicrafts made by Indian artisans for the forthcoming Christmas season for buyers abroad.”

TECD: What are the Future plans for The Indian Weave?

Jean Roy: “We plan to travel extensively in the coming year to discover more of “Incredible India”, meet with artisans, understanding the traditions and the wide variety of Indian handicrafts available so can offer them to our clients, old and new.”

TECD: What would you say are the 3 never fail decor tips that one could use to spruce up a place instantly?

Jean Roy:

• "If you like it, buy it no matter what kind of house or interiors you have, as you will cherish it forever with fondness.
• Vintage is always in vogue. Keep it in any living space at your home. It’s going to be a conversation piece with your family and friends. 
• Curate your own collection, slowly and surely from our collection of beautiful vintage pieces and home accessories not only to make your home beautiful but also help keeping the Indian traditions and handicrafts alive.”

To shop this fantastic range of products, visit their web boutique right here. They currently have a fabulous sale – 15% off everything! You could also connect with them via Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter and stay abreast of regular updates of their latest collections, discount offers and sale events. (FYI: They ship worldwide via India International speed post.) 

What’s more? In sync with the spirit of this season, TECD in collaboration with The Indian Weave is bringing you a wonderful giveaway - this Vintage brass scissor candle snuffer. It is handcrafted with delicately carved birds, fine engravings and Indian motifs. To enter the giveaway, follow All three below mentioned conditions:

• Like TECD and The Indian Weave Facebook pages
• Follow TECD and The Indian Weave on Instagram 
• Browse The Indian Weave site with this link and tell us right here on The East Coast Desi's Facebook page about the products from their curated collections that tug on your heart strings. Also don't forget to mention that you have followed all the conditions for the giveaway. 

Thank you The Indian Weave for the wonderful GIVEAWAY and good luck to my wonderful readers. Winner will be announced on November 18th, 2016. (P.S. Giveaway is open to ALL my readers worldwide) !!!

(Image Credit: The Indian Weave)

Be a Part of the "COPPRE" Culture (and a Giveaway!)

In 2011, Rashmi Ranade (Founder and Lead Designer at Coppre and Alumni of Sir J. J. College of Architecture and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai) embarked upon a journey to revolutionize a forgotten craft heritage of India - “The Tambat”. The metalcrafting artisans of Tambat Ali in Pune (India) migrated from Kosam Gaon in the 17th century to supply the Peshwai households with copperware. Sculpting and chiseling, they flourished in the Peshawar era making artillery, royal seals and utensils for more than three centuries. However with the invasion of the Bristish rule, the Peshawars were overthrown. This change in monarchy brought about several other changes with them like the introduction of steel and plastic. With affordable and accessible versions of the copperware in steel and plastic, the artisans faded into obscurity. Overtime the colony that had around 800 artisans has been reduced to a mere 80 artisans today. That’s when team Coppre (Sudakshina Sinha Banerjee- Market Outreach, Chhanda Bihari - Finance and Operations and Seemantini Mihir - Branding and eCommerce) stepped into reconstitute, revive and breathe new life into a lost heritage craft form. 

Three years later, brand "Coppre" has grown by leaps and bounds and has not only managed to be an advocate for this one-of-a-kind heritage craft but has also carved a niche for itself in the world of product design and copper culture.With an impressive presence in 8 countries and branching out to more than 14 cities in India, Coppre's latest effort to widen their market reach has been the launch of their US website. But what measures their success as a socio-enterprise is their collaborative efforts with artisan’s practicing this ancestral vocation has grown threefold from 10 (when they started in 2011) to a group of 30 artisans and the fact that they have even reformed how these artisans are remunerated is beyond laudable! 

Team Coppre has launched over 5 collections till date with each collection reflecting Coppre’s distinguished design philosophy that centers on “Traditional Skills, Timeless Designs”. That being said, each product reflects uncompromising quality, exquisite craftsmanship and style quotient that emphasizes understated elegance.

Coppre's imaginative design process absorbs fragments of inspiration primarily from nature and the bygone era. A labor intensive process is then undertaken to bring to fore glistening creations that are hand beaten and etched painstakingly. Their latest collection, “The Water Bearers" pays tribute to the traditional wisdom that throws spotlight on the health benefits of drinking copper charged water. The impossibly stylish new product range brings together the opulence of the burnished metal, utilitarian strength of copper and new age design that makes the product adaptive to the modern day lifestyle.

The concept and inspiration for the Water Bearers collection is fascinating. This is what team Coppre had to say :

"Long before the discovery of plastic and steel, metals were shaped into objects of everyday utility. They adorned every home, both affluent and impoverished. Generously utilized day in and out, for cooking, eating, drinking, carrying, storing and more. These were meticulously cared for- scrubbed and polished to reveal their innate metallic glory.

What was utilitarian and pretty was also good for the society, the family and the individual- both maker and buyer. People were healthy and metals played a role in it.

With the passage of time came convenience and a hurried living style. Plastic and steel became ubiquitous and metals were relegated to the attics or pawned off. What was necessary became redundant. What was indispensable, replaced. Preferences have since changed, but the needs are still the same. That’s why we bring tradition to you in contours and containers palatable to your tastes, needs and homes.Therefore, The Water Bearers."

Here are a few more facts about Copper that will convince you as to why one needs Coppre in their lives:

~ Recommended in Ayurveda, Tamrajal or water ionized by Copper is known to have a myriad health benefits. (Rich in antioxidants, kills bacteria, regulates thyroids, cures arthritis, heals wounds faster, stimulates brain activity, improves digestion, beats anemia!) 

~The Tambat craft community has been handcrafting water bearers for more than 400 years. They continue to do so, to this day. However, the practice is dwindling owing to convenience of plastic and steel, ease of maintenance and inadequate product design.

It's finally time to share details of the wonderful giveaway. One lucky TECD reader walks away with a set of 2 Linear Tumblers from Coppre's latest collection - "Water Bearers"!

All you have to do is :

(1) For the main entry, Sign-up/Subscribe with Coppre on their website (look at the bottom right hand corner for the orange subscribe tab) and like TECD's FB Page. 

(2) For each additional entry, follow Coppre on Instagram and TECD on Instagram.
(3) Once done with the above, leave a comment on TECD's Facebook page stating which of the actions you have followed.

It's as simple as that! The giveaway is open upto August 15th, 2015 . The winner will be decided by team Coppre on August 16th,2015. 

Good luck readers! I would like to thank the Coppre team for the wonderful giveaway and wish them all the very best in their endeavor to preserve a dwindling tradition and craft of India! To see more of their products, click here or connect with Coppre via their FB Page. 

Image Copyright/Credit : Coppre 

Studio Silver Paisley and a Giveaway !!!

Introducing "Studio Silver Paisley" (SSP), an exquisite jewelry boutique that is based in New York. The label is the culmination of Seeta Koko’s creative curiosity and her determination to stay in touch with her artistic identity.  Born and raised in India and then shifting base to the US in her late teens, the exposure to global cultural influences and their indelible impact on Seeta's design philosophy can be seen in the stunning creations for SSP.  

Today's feature throws spotlight on SSP’s latest collection, “Narangi”. The pieces from this line, combine silver, iconic patterns from India (like the peacock and lotus to name a few)  and vibrantly hued semi-precious stones to create a limited edition collection that is both captivating and when paired with the simplest of outfits can make a dramatic statement. Narangi targets the urban sophisticate who not only enjoys a bit of glimmer but is also ready to soak up different cultures! To get to know more about the lovely lady and her brand, we decided to sit down with her and have a heart-to-heart conversation.

TECD : Welcome to TECD ! How and when did you conceive the idea of “Studio Silver Paisley” ?

Seeta: “Thank you Sruthi, I'm delighted to be featured here at TECD. Well, the story goes something like this….. About 5 years ago when life threw a major challenge at me, I took off from work, packed my bags and went to India on a whim. I needed a change of pace and place to get my life together, clear my head and have a perspective of what I wanted from life. On the very same trip, one of those aha moments in a quaint shop in Chennai, I saw a silver paisley necklace and decided instantly to make it a part of my collection. Little did I know back then that this moment would ignite the silver artist in me. Studio Silver Paisley was an unplanned adventure, an adventure which brought back happiness to my life and I wanted to celebrate that by naming it after the neck-piece that started it all.”

TECD: Tell us about the inspiration and the design process that goes into making each collections.

Seeta: “My roots being Indian, I tend to lean towards that side of my upbringing for a large part of my inspiration. I am still surrounded by those colors and scents. But having lived in the US for so long there is definitely a western influence as can be seen in my collection "Narangi". Each piece is an elegant harmony of the modern quotient with traditional style. 

I also draw inspiration from the simple pleasure that life has to offer like the paintings that my daughter draws, the food that I eat, the music that I enjoy or the sunset that I see. I think Rumi sums it up beautifully, “In your light I learn how to love. In your beauty, how to make poems. You dance inside my chest where no-one sees you, but sometimes I do, and that sight becomes this art.”

As for the design process – no pre-determined design plans for me. SSP being a solo endeavor with me in the creative lead, the design process is much like a wild horse. I let it take its course…. However, I source my silver primarily from India and some of it is from Mexico. My design inputs are communicated to the artisans and the process may be very tedious but the end result is so worth it. Like in the Narangi collection, the stones were handpicked, cut and treated in Mexico to my design aesthetic (size, shape etc.). All the creations at SSP are one-of-a-kind, limited edition pieces and that I think is the USP of this brand."

TECD: How would you describe the modern day ideal woman whom you design for?

Seeta: “The modern day ideal women that I envision wearing my designs is a one who has a pixie cut but can rock a traditional attire. A woman who laughs her heart out, who is comfortable in her own skin and is a free spirit.”

TECD : We love the colors and the mix of influences as seen in the Narangi collection.You have successfully introduced two collections in a span of two months. Are you currently working on a third collection ?

Seeta : “I’m always in the process of experimenting and creating, so it’s not a surprise that I have my third collection in the making…..here is a sneak peek for the TECD readers only ! “ 

TECD : What  has been the biggest challenge as a small business owner and what advice would you give to the folks out there who aspire to be small business owners ?

Seeta: “The biggest challenge is capital and I think it is true for every small business. Being a single mother of a 10 year old taught me that life is all about taking risks and enjoying that moment. No matter what the odds, if you follow your heart, you can’t go wrong.”

And now for the generous giveaway in collaboration with Studio Silver Paisley. One lucky TECD reader takes away this gorgeous pair of  handcrafted Silver, Blue Chalcedony earrings !!!

All you got to do is follow these simple steps to enter the GIVEAWAY : 

1.Browse the Album "Narangi" collection on Studio Silver Paisley Facebook page and tell us right here on The East Coast Desi's Facebook page about the products from their Narangi collections that tug on your heart strings. (Please make sure you are logged into facebook to do so.) AND

2.Like Studio Silver Paisley page on Facebook. AND

3.Like The East Coast Desi page on Facebook if you haven't done so already.

4. It's as simple as that :) The winner will be announced on February 15th 2015 (Saturday).

Thank you Studio Silver Paisley for the wonderful GIVEAWAY and good luck to my readers (P.S.Giveaway is open to ALL my readers worldwide) !!!

Images Credit/Copyright: Studio Silver Paisley. Product Styling and Photography : Sruthi Singh

Jaypore and The East Coast Desi Giveaway !!!

Foraging for “THE PIECE” (be it a décor accent, an exquisite woven textile or a statement jewelry piece), is a persistent but a gratifying experience when you finally find "IT". And what makes it all the more worthwhile is if the “THE PIECE” has a story to tell. That’s what makes the e-marketplace Jaypore ("The Story Tellers" as they like to call themselves), so distinct from the others in the same showground. Everyday a fresh story is woven with a new cast and crew, comprising of freshly curated collection, with skillful artisans and their craftsmanship taking center stage.

Marrying the convenience of online shopping with the exclusivity of judiciously curated eclectic mix of art, fashion finds, home textiles and home accents, the store is a gateway to fashion, design and art connoisseurs.

The team at Jaypore believes in “ bringing the world a little closer together. To discover the best design from artisans and craftsmen from all over India, and deliver them at exceptional value to their members.” Their merchandise sourcing team spans the length and breathe of the country to bring authentic and irresistible finds directly from emerging designers, small business owners and independent artisans.

I personally love their home decor segment. If your looking to create a home that’s as unique as your thumb print and strive to incorporate style and aesthetics in one go, the answer is Jaypore. Offering limited one-of-a kind treasures, the exquisite product range is bound to bring a global feel to your home. Click right here to peruse their entire collection of curated treasures for the home.

And now for the GIVEAWAY !!! Jaypore has a generous giveaway for the readers of TECD : ONE lucky reader will win an exquisite Dancing Ganesha Brass Oil Lamp !!!

All you got to do is follow these simple steps to enter the GIVEAWAY : 

1. Browse the Jaypore site with this link and tell us right here on The East Coast Desi's Facebook page about the products from their curated collections that tug on your heart strings. (Please make sure you are logged into facebook to do so.)

2. Leave a comment on this post too, to double your chances.

3. It's as simple as that :) The winner will be announced on October 18th 2014 (Saturday).

Thank you Jaypore for the wonderful GIVEAWAY  and good luck to my wonderful readers (P.S.Giveaway is open to ALL my readers worldwide) !!!

Images Credit/Copyright: Jaypore and The East Coast Desi 

India Circus Giveaway !!!!

Hello Friday!!!! 

To double your Friday bliss, I have some exciting news for “ALL” my lovely readers. I’m extremely pleased to bring to you the very first GIVEAWAY here at The East Coast Desi in partnership with India Circus. 

• WIN: A wonderful hamper that includes the Peacock dawn cushion cover, vibrant Paisley coasters and my absolute favorite the bronze Neo Nawab votive candle holder. If you want to brighten up that corner in your home and are feeling lucky, let’s get started.
• WINNER : 1
• PARTICIPATION: GIVEAWAY IS OPEN TO ALL MY READERS. India Circus has been generous to offer shipping to any part of the globe:) 
• RULES FOR PARTICIPATING:
• (A) MUST RULES:

       1) Like The East Coast Desi on Facebook

                                AND

       2) Follow The East Coast Desi Via Google Friend Connect. 

• (B) OPTIONAL RULES:

For additional entries, connect with India Circus on their various social media platforms and leave a comment stating participation in the giveaway on my blog as well (one extra entry for each of the following):

a) Like India Circus on Facebook

b) Follow India Circus on Goolge +

c) Follow India Circus on Twitter

d) Follow India Circus on Pinterest

e) Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment.

f) Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment.

If you already happen to follow my blog, please let me know in the comment section. Also ensure that you clearly state your first and last name and have included which of the above steps have been taken by you to enter the giveaway.

The winner will be announced on January 12, 2014. 

Good Luck and Have a great weekend !!!!

Images: India Circus